West Valley City, UT Animal Ordinances: Exotic Pets (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned
- Fierce/dangerous wild animals as pets
- Examples
- Bears, big cats, wolves, primates
- Also covers
- Weasels, venomous snakes, skunks
- Exempt
- Zoos, shelters, vets, labs only
Summary
West Valley City makes it unlawful to keep, sell, or harbor any wild animal that is fierce, dangerous, noxious, or naturally inclined to harm, with narrow institutional exceptions.
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, barter, give away, keep, own, harbor, or purchase any wild animal, as defined in Section 23-1-102 above, which is fierce, dangerous, noxious, or naturally inclined to do harm; except the animal shelter, zoological park, veterinary hospital, humane society shelter, public laboratory, circus, sideshow, amusement show, or facility for education or scientific purposes may keep such an animal if protective devices adequate to prevent such animal from escaping or injuring the public are provided.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep an animal of a species prohibited or protected by federal law or by any regulation or law of the State of Utah. (Ord. No. 98-61 Amended 08/25/1998)
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 26-30, passed June 23, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 23-5-107 of the West Valley City Municipal Code bans selling, offering for sale, bartering, giving away, keeping, owning, harboring, or purchasing any wild animal defined in Section 23-1-102 that is fierce, dangerous, noxious, or naturally inclined to do harm: a definition covering bears, big cats, wolves and part-wolves, primates, venomous snakes and lizards, skunks, and the weasel family, among others. Only an animal shelter, zoo, veterinary hospital, humane shelter, lab, circus, or similar facility with adequate containment may keep such an animal; it is also unlawful to keep any animal protected or prohibited under federal or Utah state law.
Violations & Fines
Keeping, selling, or harboring a prohibited wild animal outside an exempt facility violates Section 23-5-107 and is enforceable under Title 23's animal control penalty provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pet fox or wolf-dog in West Valley City?
Are ferrets banned as exotic pets in West Valley City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in West Valley City
Compare West Valley City to another location·View the Utah animal ordinances overview
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Exotic Pets in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle exotic pets.